Georgia: Batumi Bypass Road

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to improve regional connectivity in Georgia and improve efficiency for road transport along the EWH in Georgia.

DESCRIPTION

The Project will construct a new two-lane 14.3 km long highway to provide a bypass to the Batumi port city (second largest city in Georgia). The road will be constructed on a new alignment, which passes through a number of mountainous settlements. Due to hilly nature of the terrain, this stretch of road requires construction of 5 tunnels and 19 bridges over rivers and valleys. Additionally, the controlled-access highway will have 4 grade separated interchanges to regulate traffic ingress/egress. The Project will also finance construction supervision and quality assurance services associated with the civil works including specialized structural and geotechnical works.

PROJECT FINANCING

For more information about project financing, please review the project summary.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

The Bank has decided to use the Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS), 2009, of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) since (i) they are consistent with the Bank’s Articles of Agreement and materially consistent with the provisions of the Bank’s Environmental and Social Policy and relevant Environmental and Social Standards; and (ii) the monitoring procedures that the ADB has in place to ascertain compliance with their Safeguard Policies are appropriate for the Project. Under the Bank’s Safeguard Policies, the Project has been assigned Category A. The Project involves land acquisition and involuntary resettlement for which LARPs (Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Plans) have been prepared. An updated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Project has been prepared consistent with the ADB’s policies for Category A project. These documents have been approved by the ADB and the Government of Georgia and disclosed on the ADB’s website: https://www.adb.org/projects/documents/search/country/geo?keywords=batumi.